Ginia



Oct. 15, 1929. H. J. l.. FRANK 1,731,489

SWITCH Filed Sept. 15, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4. ZI 'c'--n 4 "fr 7 7a O 2l if@ zu o IL-3f z2 i; 22 ,a 2f 5 ,ex

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Oct. 15, 1929. H. J. L. FRANK SWITCH Filed Sept. 15, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 w mma n mi. 9.6.3

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SWITCH Filed Sept. 15, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 TORNEY.

Patented Oct. 15, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRISON J. L. FRANK, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO BULL DOG ELECTRIC PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIR- GINIA SWITCH Application tiled September 15, 1922.

This invention relates to electric switches of the so-called iron clad type, that is, switches enclosed in metal boxes and having operating handles on the outside of the boxes so that the switches therein can be opened and closed while the cover is closed, mechanism being provided to normally prevent the closing of the switch while the cover is open and to prevent the cover being opened while the switch is closed.

This invention consists in a bar extending through a plurality of knife blades of switches, the bar being encased in a tube of insulating material and short bushings within the knife blades and surrounding the bar and upset on each side of the knife blades to prevent lateral movement between them.

It also consists in a switch mounted within a switch box, a shaft, a cover for the box, a lock plate attached to the shaft and adapted to secure the cover in closed position, and operating member adapted to be engaged by the lock plate, and a novel stop plate to prevent the lock plate from closing the switch while the cover is open, the stop plate being movable by the cover to inoperative position.

It also consists in a locking hook mounted on the operating shaft of the switch and adapted to hold thc cover in closed position, and means to prevent the hook from moving.

.It also consists in an actuating plate attached to the shaft, an operating handle loose on the shaft and adapted to engage the actuating plat to turn the shaft, said engagement embodying an amount of slack motion, and a spring operatively connected to the actuating plate to accelerate the final movements of the shaft.

It further consists of the details of construction illustrated in the accompanying drawng and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In th accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a front view of this switch and the box therefor with the cover removed. Fig. 2 is a scction on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a .side elevation. from the right in Fig. l, of the operating handle for the switch. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. 5 is a section on the line of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a Serial No. 588,306.

section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a view of a connecting bar and a section of the insulation thereon. Fig. 8 a side elevation of a switch blade. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of one form of lock for the operating handle. Fig. 10 is a detail of a lock plate. Fig. 11 is slightly modified form of insulation for a connector bar. Figs. 12 and 13 are side elevations of a modified form of locking device for the operating handle showing the mechanism in two positions. Figs. 14 and 15 are sections on the lines 14-14 and 15-15 of Fig. 12 respectively. Fig. 16 is a perspective. of another form of knife blade. Fig. 17 is a section thereof on a connector bar. Figs. 18 and 19 are elevations of another form of locking device for the operating handle showing the parts in two positions. Fig. 20 is a section on the line 20-{20 of Fig. 18. Fig. 21 is an elevation of a door lock held inoperative. Fig. 22 is a section on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21. Fig. 23 is a perspective of a device to hold the door lock inoperatve.

Similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

The switch shown in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings is of the type known as Bulldog to the trade, that is, a switch mechanism is enclosed in a steel case or box and interlockmechanism is provided for normally preventing the case being opened While the switch is closed and also normally preventing the switch being closed while the case is open. The present case had a bottom 1, sides 2 and 3, ends 4 and 5 and a cover 6. The ends may be provided with the usual removable plates 7 provided with knock-out disks and held in position by the tongues 7a on the ends.

A base 8 (Fig. 1) of insulating material carries the clips 9 and 10 for the fuses 11, and the work or load wires 12 extending through openings in the end 5 connect to the screws 14.

The opposite ends of the fuses are held by the clips 10 which connect to the small bearing plates 17 between which the knife blade contacts 18 are mounted on the bolts 19. The feed wires 20 extend in through openings in the end 4 and connect to the contacts 21 which also have side plates 22 between which the knife blades 18 extend when the switch is closed.

The knife blade contacts may be of many different constructions and are connected and insulated as may be desired.l I prefer to use one of the several novel constructions detailed in Figs. 7, 8, 11 and 16. The construction shown in Figs. 7 and 8 consists of a blade 18, preferably of copper, in which a hole is formed by first slitting the blade by ineans of a wedge which separates its sides and then placing it between dies which force thc ends of the blade toward each other while limitingl the outward expansion to the forni shown.- The hole is then properly finished 'to receive the .connectorbar 24. The loss of material is very small. The edges of the blade are the same is in the original ribbon thus saving the usual refinishing. The original cross. section remains substantially the saine at the point of expansion -so that the conducting capacity' is not affected. This bar is surrounded by a tube 25.of insulating material and a short sleeve 26 of vulcanized fibre fitting around this tube extends through the blade 18. The ends of the sleeve 26 are inserted in substantially. cylindrical and counterbored jaws which move toward each other while a Vmandrel on the inside prevents collapsing. This produces the circumferential ribs 27 on the sleeve'at either side of the blade 18 and at the same time retains the proper internal diameter of the sleeve so that it lits the tube 25 to hold the blade in positionand at the same time permits the blade to adjust itself on this tube.

In Fig. 11 I have shown the bar 24, tube 25 and knife blade 18, and'in addition a short sleeve 28 placed on this tube within the blade, and this sleeve has its ends expanded and rolled back to engage'the blade, this expansionreducing the internal diameter sufliciently to grip the tube 25.

In Figs. 16 and 17, a knife blade 3() is shown formed with a hub 31 which is produced by forcing out the lnetal of the blade without widening it. A small guide hole is irst punched in the blade and a dra-wing punch is then forced down to extrude the hub. Normally this would crack the hub along its outer edge but by using a resisting die of cup shape which is held against the hub as it is formed by considerable pressure, the cracking of the hub is prevented. A pressure pad should bear against the upper face of the blade to prevent distortion while the hub is extruded downward. A tube 25 on the connector rod again extends through the opening in this hub and a short sleeve 32 with circumferential ribs 33 again fills the space within this hub and around the tube. The blades thus constructed cannot become disconnected from the bar on which they are mounted.

The knife blades 18 are connected to an operating bail consisting of a central bar 34, arms 36 and 37 having outwardly turned alined ends, the bail connecting to the knife blades by means of links 38, each having one end pivoted onV the central bar 34 and the other end pierced, then split to pass over the end 40 of the connector bar 24, and then squeezed down to fit into the groove 41, as shown in Fig-7. If desired, a washer 42 of insulating material may be placed between the ends of the insulating tube 25 and the links 38, as shown in Fig. 11.

A plate 43 (Figs. 1 and 5), is attached to the side 2 by means of bolts 44 having nuts 45 on their inner sides and by means of tongues 46 struck up from the plate land extending through holes in the side 2.` A raised portion 47 of this plate is formed with a cylindrical flange 48 which constitutes a ,bearing for theend36 of the bail, this end Ybeing upset at 49 to prevent withdrawal of the bail from its bearing. An extension 50 on this plate serves as a stop for the bail.

A plate 53 is attached to the inner side of the side 3 and the middle portion 52 is bent away from the side 3 to serve as a guide for the stop plate 54 shown in Fig. 10. The stop plate is formed with a notch 55 at its upper end, with a central hole 56 to receive :the shaft 66 `and with a tongue 57 at its lower end. A'spring 58 is mounted on pins 59 struck up from the plate 52 and has a portion 60 extending under the tongue 57 to normally hold up the plate 54. v

The box has a cover 'provided with side flanges 62 and 63, the former formed with slots to receive the curved tongues 64 attached to the side 2 of the box which constitute hinges for the cover (see Fig. 4). AThe opposite side fiange 63 carries a screw 65 adapted to be removed by a special key in the hands of the inspector who is trusted to open the box to examine the switch without opening the switch.

A stub shaft 66 is mounted in the side 3 and has a central bore to receive the end 37 of the switch operating bail. Secured to the inner end of this stub shaft is a locking plate 67 which has an arm 68 carrying a pin 69 to which the bar 70 connects. This bar is slidable in a slot in the lug 72 on a plate 73 pivoted at 74 to the side 3, and this lug serves as an abutment for the spring 75 which also engages a. plate 76 on the bar 70. This spring is compressed while the plate 67 is turned clockwise (in Fig. 2) until about the time the tongue 77 on this plate reaches the arm 37 of the operating bail, after which this spring causes the plate 67 to continue its movement to swiftly swing the bail to a position approximately at right angles to the bottom of the box and in doing so, opens the switch at such speed that very little. arcing occurs at the contacts 22. This spring also Uli lll)

assists in thefswift and comple-te closure of the switch throughl the engagement ofl the flange 78 on the plate 67 with the opposite side of the arm 37.

The plate 67 is undercut at the flange 78 to form a circular slot 79 in which the screw 65 extends. So long as the plate 67 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, at which position the switch is closed, the flange 78 extends over the screw 65 and prevents the door being opened. When the plate 67 has been swung tov release the screw 65 and the door has been opened, the arm 60 of the spring 58 presses up the plate A54 and brings the tongue 571thereon against the edge of the plate at about the point 30 where this tongue is in the path of the shoulder` 81 on the locking plate 67 and prevents this plate ofthe bail 34 from turning. The switch is thus locked in open position while the-door 6 is open. The screw 65 enters the notch 55 in the plate 54 when the cover is closed and depresses the plate suficiently to carry the tongue57 out of the path of the shoulder 81 so long as the cover 6 is in closed position. 'The side 3 of the body is formed with a notch 102 to permit this entrance of the pin 65. Y

Attached to the outer side ofthe wall 3 of the box is a plate 83 having a central por Y tion made up of two sides 84 and a top 85 which -is apertured and formed with a flange 82 to serve as a bearing for the short shaft 66. This plate has a portion 86 bent up at right angles to constitute a lock plate shown in Figs. 4 and 6. On the shaft is rotatably mounted a hook 88 adapted to engage the screw 65 carried by the cover 6, and a spring 89 normally holds this hook in the position shown in Fig. V6. A foot 90 onl this hook is adapted to lie flat against the lock plate 86 and these two are formed with registeringr holes 92 adapted to receive the padlock 93 so that the box cover can be locked. I prefer a number of these holes 92 so that. the box cannot be opened without the consent of several employees. This plate 83 and the plate 53 are preferably secured to the side 3 of the box by means of the same screws so that the entire operating and interlocking mechanism may be taken out as a unit when these screws are removed.

The actuating plate 94 shown invFig. 3 is attached to the shaft 66 and has a long slot 95 through which the operating handle 98 extends. This slot is of such length that the spring can accelerate the movements of the switch in either direction. The handle is loose on the shaft and its inner end may be flan ed,'as shown in Fig. 4, to engage the midle portion of the supporting plate 83. The plate 94 has a slot 96 through which and throu h the holes 92, a padlock 97 can be passed: shown in Fig. 9. This permits a lineman to lock the switch in open position while he to'lock the switch in open position as is at work on the circuits connecting into the box.

It it is desired to inspect the switch when the switch is in the closed position, then the socket. end 124 of the key or tool l100 shown in Fig. 23, .iaving a head 101, is fitted over the head ot' the screw ($5 and the screw is backed out sulieiently to miss the projecting part 78 of the lock plate 67 when the hook 88 may be pulled back and the cover opened.

The cover may then be closed by reversing the process, and the screw 65 is then screwed into the cover again.

It may also be desirable'to inspect and operate the switch when the cover is this case the head 101 of the key or tool 100 is used to depress the plate 54 which permits the switch to be closed. vThe key or tool 100 is then removed. See Figs. 21 and 22.

If'it is desired to close-the cover, the screw 65 is backed out sufliciently to clear the hook 78 and the coveris then. closed and the screw run back in until it rests in a position underneath the hook 78.

In Figs. 18, 19 and 20 I have shown au actuating plate 106, somewhat similar to the plate 94 shown in Fig. 3. The hook plate 107 has a button or knob 108 adaptedto be engaged by the ear 109 on this actuating plate 106 so that the hook plate cannot be swung back. to release the screw 1,10 carried by the cover 6 of the box so long as the switch remains closed. The slot 112 in this plate 106 is shown in Fig. 19 made sutliciently large to permit the screw 65 to he backed bynieans of a proper tool when the switch is open so that the switch may be closed and the cover opened if necessary. The remaining parts are the same as those shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and are similarly lettered.

In Figs. 12, 13, 15, inclusive, is shown another interlock between the locking .hook for securing the cover and the actuating plate through which the handle 98 extends. The supporting plate 83 is again provided with an outwardextension 86 which has holes 92 to receive a padlock. Mounted on the shaft 66 is a switch actuating plate 114, provided with a long slot 115, to permit the passage of the handle 98 as before described and this plate also has an eye 116 to receive a padlock which may also extend through a hole 92 to lock the switch in open position. The hook 88 has a lock plate 90 again provided with holes to register with the holes 92 in the extension 86.

This lock plate on the hook 88 is formed with a notch 118 and the rigid extension 86 on the supporting plate 83 is provided with a slot 119. The switch-actuating plate 114 has pivoted to it a tongue 120 adapted to extend through the slot 119, and has an arm 121 adapted to extend into the notch 118. Then the switch is open, as shown in Fig. 13, the tongue 120 is up out of the path of the open. In

shoulder 122 on the plate 90 and the arm 121 is also swung out of this path. The switchactuating plate must be swung to normal position before the switch is closed, for otherwise the tongue 120 can not 4be forced down but as the hook 88 and the arm 121 are mounted on the same shaft, the closing of the switch will swing the hook to operative position. Unless the cover 6 is already closed when this occurs, it can not be swung to closing position as the screw will engage the top or outer edge of the hook 88. The interlock composed of the sliding plate 54 and the lock plate .6'.7 Shown in Figs. 1 and 2 prevent vthe switch being closed untilA this plate 54 is pushed in, either by the screw 65 o'r by a device such as shown in F ig. 23.

The tongue 120 and the flange 78 on the plate 67 perform the same duties and either may be omitted when the other is employed but both may be used for the sake of greater safety.

It will be observed that the operating mechanism and the switch may all be removed without disturbing the conductors 12 and 20, so that any part may be replaced without the necessity of removing the wiring or conduits of the installation where this switch is employed.

lMany other changes in the details of switches and their boxes embodying this invention maybe made by those skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the following claims.

1. In a switch, the combination .of a box, a switch mounted within the box, a shaft rotat` able in one side of the box, a cover tfor :the box having a projection on its inner side, a lool: plate attached to the shaft and having a iange adapted to engage said projection on the cover, an operating member for the switch adapted to be actuated by the lock plate, a stop plate adapted to prevent the lock plate from closing vthe switch, said stop plate adapted to be moved to inoperative position by the cover When closed, and a hand-le -to turn the shaft.

2. In a switch, the combination of a box and a cover therefor, a pin mounted in the cover, a switch within the box, a shaft rotatably mounted in one side of the box, a plate attached to the shaft and adapted to open and close the switch and having a slot adapted to receive the pin on the cover when the plat-e is moved to switch-closing position to hold the cover closed, a stop member to engage said plate to prevent it from closing the switch, said stop member being engaged by the pin on the cover and moved thereby to inoperative position when the cover is closed, and means to turn the shaft and plate.

* In a switch, the combination of a box and a cover ltherefor, a pin mounted in the cover,

I' da switch within lthe lbox, a shaft .rotatably mounted in one .side of the box,.ap1ato nttaehed to the shaft and adapted to open and close the switch. and having a slot Yadapted to receive the pin on the 0017.61? When the Plate is moved to switch-closing position to hold F70 l.the cover Closed,-a 'step member t0 gag said plato to .prevent ,it from closing. the switch, said stop member being engag'cdby the pui .on .tbefeover and moved-thereby to inoperative position 'Whenthe QOYSI' is iClQed, 15 means to turn the shaftfand plate, and .resilient means attachedto the Plate to accelerate itsfmovements .nearthe limits thereof, i. e'

,4, Ina switch, thecombnation-ofa box and acover therefona p inyxnounted in the ,13o cover, a switch'within the bOX,-a shaft rotatably .mounted in onegside of thebox, a plate attached .tothe shaft and adapted toppen and close the switch and having a slot adapted to receive the pin on the @over when the plate-,g5 is moved to lswi.tch :1 sing,f.. position :to .hold the @over closed, a stopmember-'tofengage sind plate. to preventt from closing .the switch, V.saidstop member being Aengaged by the pinY oni thecover. and moved thereby 0,290 inoperative position when the cover is closed, means to turn the-shaft 4and pieter-means@ kthe outside of the box'tofengage said ,pin to keep the cover Closed,l and a lock to prevent said means being movedA l y 5. In a switch@ .the combination of a box, .a switch mounted within the hex, asha'ft rotatable in one side of the box, a pover for the box having a .projection on its nnrside, a lock plate attached to the shaft and '.havgg goo a flange adapted to engage said j JIOGOR 0n i the cover, an operating Imember fOr the switch adapted to be actuated by the lock plate, n stop plate adapted to prevent the lock lplate from closing the switch, 4said stop plate adapted to be moved .to inoperative position by the cover when closed, a handle to `turn the shaft, a plate attached ,to the ,shaft having a slot through which the handle extends, and means to lock the slotted plate and handle. i

(i. In a switch, theeombination ofa box, a switch mounted within the box, a shaft rotatable in one side of the box, a cover for the box having a projection on its inner side, 1415 lock plate attached to the shaft fand having a flange .adapted to engage said projection on the cover, an operating member lfor .the switch adapted to ,be actuated .by the lock plate, a stop plate ,adapted to prevent ,the lock plate from closing the switch, said stop plate adapted to be moved to inoperative position -by the cover when closed, a Fhandle to :turn the shaft, a hook mounted .on the 'shaft outside the box and .adapted to engage ieprojection on the cover, and means to llock the hoo'k to prevent the cover being opened.

7. In a switch, the combination of a box, a switch mounted within the box, a shaft rotatable in one side of fthe box, a cover for 130 ULU5 the box having a projection on its inner side, a lock plate attached to the shaft and having a flange adapted to engage said projection on the cover, an operating member for the switch adapted to be actuated by the lock plate, a stop plate adapted to prevent the lock plate from closing the switch, said Stop plate adapted to be moved to inoperative position by the cover when closed, a handle to turn the shaft, a hook mounted on the shaft outside the box and adapted to engage the projection on the cover and having a lock plate at one end, and a plate attached to the box with which the lock plate on the hook is adapted to engage, said plates on the hook and box having registering holes to receive a lock to prevent the hook being moved.

8. In a switch, the combination of a box, and a cover therefor, movable and stationary contact members within the box, means accessible when the cover is open to hold the contacts in position, switch operating mechanism secured to the sides of the box, an interlock between the cover and the switch operating mechanism, and fastening devices to secure the switch operating mechanism and interlock in position, said fastening devices being accessible when the door is open so that the switch operating mechanism and the interlock may be removed as a unit without disturbing the wiring of the switch.

9. In a switch, the combination of a box, a switch mounted within the box, a shaft rotatable in one side of the box, a cover for the box having a projection on its inner side, a lock plate attached to the shaft and having a flange adapted to engage said projection on the cover, an operating member for the switch adapted to be actuated by the lock plate, a stop plate adapted to prevent the lock plate from closing the switch, said stop plate adapted to be moved to inoperative position by the cover when closed, a handle to turn the shaft, and fastening devices to secure the switch operating mechanism and interlock in position, said fastening devices being accessible so that the switch operating mechanism and the interlock may be removed as a unit.

HARRISON J. L. FRANK. 

